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In that eNews, I answered FAQs including:
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Where did the project begin? With the Alexandria Project and the three Co-Leads, Drs. Karen Steelman (Shumla), Carolyn Boyd and Phil Dering (Texas State).
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What are the goals of the project? To investigate when and how the murals were painted and what they mean.
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How long will project take? Until the end of 2024.
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Why is it called "Hearthstone?" After the hearth fire and the comal supported by three hearthstones. Our research was supported by: (1) archaeological science, (2) formal art analysis, and (3) Indigenous knowledge.
Now, in January 2025, we are so pleased to report that the field and laboratory work for the Hearthstone Project is done!
Three things follow field and lab work in the world of archaeology.
1) Writing… writing… writing up the analysis and conclusions for presentations, publications and release to the scientific community and the public.
Mesoamerican cosmological concepts originated from an Archaic core of beliefs that persisted across time, cultural, linguistic, and geographical boundaries. Our Hearthstone Project publications will reveal the date, extent, and location of the oldest known graphic expressions of these concepts. We will share our publications as they are published.
2) Curation of every single piece of data and every image
Shumla's archive of data and imagery will be the way people study, enjoy and engage with the rock art of the Lower Pecos for generations to come. We take data preservation very seriously.
3) Planning for what's next! Applying lessons learned. Updating project/research designs. Getting back out there!
We are currently updating our research design based on lessons learned and will soon begin to apply these lines of investigation to new sites as we continue to preserve and study the rock art panels of the Lower Pecos. We have already received permission to apply this method to one of the most endangered and most complex sites in the Lower Pecos – Rattlesnake Canyon! More on this below!
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